Home Defense Rethink

[Kommander]

Am I the only one who thinks that there is a good chance the the fellow who was stabbed had it coming? This kind of thing is usually not random.

[Aglifter]

I grew up in a similar situation - we had 3 deputies and 1 sheriff total, though. The response time might average 45 min, but there's a good chance it could hit hours. (Eg, both deputies are tied up w. some meth gang in the remote part of the county. We called the sheriff once, a deputy got to us 4.5 hours later. The Fire department took about 3 hours once, and they beat the ambulance.)

(This is where the deputy chewed me out for not being armed while waiting for him to show up, and told me I should have: An assault rifle, a shotgun, a primary handgun, a back-up handgun, and a long distance rifle, w. me, at all times. He was coming from getting some rancher out of trouble when he walked onto a meth lab, so he might have been a bit jumpy... He expressed some concern about my neighbor - elderly lady, living alone, but started laughing when I informed him that if someone did try to rob her, all that would happen is he'd have to go pick up the bodies. )

[randy]

Even if they are too stupid to run for it and try to fight it out, in a position with good cover and spare ammo at the ready, you should be able to hold them off long enough for the PD to arrive (you or a household member are on the cell phone to 911 screaming for [strike]air support[/strike] [strike]arty support[/strike] help, right?)
.

City boys... Someday it will sink in to me that there is such a thing as a PD, now that I live in town...

Possibly bad assumption on my part. My reading of the original post (and the picture in the linked article) was that it was a suburban area. Which, of course, is a much different operationally than a rural area

Such as where I grew up in, 70's rural Iowa. Then it was clear field of fire in all directions, dogs, and screaming on the CB for my buddies to rally, as they were likely to get there quicker with more firepower than the Sheriff's office. Still primarily shotgun as that and .22rifles are what we had those days.

Still, calling 911 should be part of your plan wherever simply because:

1. You might get luck and a Deputy/Trooper might be patrolling nearby when the call comes in

2. You want it clearly on record (i.e. the 911 tape /dispatcher testimony) that you are the victim, defending yourself against an unprovoked on your house and family

3. Calling the cops is what "honest" citizens do, which along with 2 could be helpful during the subsequent investigation/possible trial. (remember the CCW slogan "he who dials 911 first wins".

As I should have said in my post above, YMMV depending on terrain, local law, and the tactical situation

[Evyl Robot]

muzzle-flash. followed by a tunnel with a light at the end.

Nice!

Jennifer and I are both fast and accurate with our pump guns. We can fortify behind our water bed (one of the few pieces of household furniture that is actual hard cover). If somebody is stupid enough to come all the way into our bedroom, they're pretty well F-ed.

[Aglifter]

You're right of course - Where I grew up, it really was, "If I don't know who you are, you have no right/reason/excuse to be here." Er... which caused some problems when new guys/city friends got lost... (Apparently, they got nervous because a man had a gun in his hand/walked up behind them w. a shotgun to talk to them, whereas I expect such things.)

Might be a good idea to go into a quick "rural" etiquette lesson.
(Now, we had a major drug corridor running through the county and where 90 min from the border)

Do not walk straight up to a house. Call out, wait in the yard, back away from the door. There's a very good chance a man will look out the side/decide to walk around to come up behind you. Let him, keep your hands away from your sides, and wait until he speaks to turn around. It sounds a bit paranoid, but there's a reason that deputy was mad that I wasn't armed - the only back-up is his neighbor, who might be miles away.

If, for some reason, the neighbor's do come - say a house alarm accidentally goes off - there will be ranchers w. dogs, shotguns, and AKs there shortly - again, not too much movement, and stay calm. If you are going to house sit/feed the dogs, etc for a friend, make sure he tells his neighbors who you are.

Probably best if you don't swing by a friends house - some people don't mind, I was rather insistent that everyone call first.

Oh, and no one will probably be home until "dark" (Probably about 9:30 in the summer).

Now, while I haven't lived in MT in over 23 years - back then, things were more relaxed - far less crime, etc - but if you visited a neighbor, you'd have to stay for the next meal.

[blackeagle603]

This is where the deputy chewed me out for not being armed while waiting for him to show up, and told me I should have: An assault rifle, a shotgun, a primary handgun, a back-up handgun, and a long distance rifle, w. me, at all times.

Interesting quote which gives rise to the question...

...which of the Gun Counter regulars was this deputy?

[Aaron]

Couldn't have been any of us. We would have said either EBR or magazine fed, semi-auto rifle, not assault rifle. Also, no mention of machine guns, man traps, snipers hides...

[Darrell]

I ran across this via Clayton Cramer's blog, might be relevant to Chris's interest:

More than 200 guns stolen from woman's home
- The Associated Press
Published: 08/17/10

POST FALLS, Idaho — Authorities say more than 200 guns have been stolen from a Kootenai County woman's home.

The woman reported the robbery on Friday. On Monday, Kootenai County sheriff's officials were still assessing the value of the stolen weapons.

Authorities say a U.S. Springfield field grade M1 rifle was valued at $50,000 alone.

Other weapons taken from the home west of Coeur d'Alene include two Glock 19 pistols, one Doc Holiday pistol, and several Remington and Harvefter rifles.

An Olympic Arms rifle, featuring stainless steel bull barrel, and a U.S. optic scope was also stolen.

Maj. Ben Wolfinger says it's the biggest weapons heist the sheriff's department has seen.



Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/08/1 ... z0wumvhieK

[308Mike]

Authorities say a U.S. Springfield field grade M1 rifle was valued at $50,000 alone.

Was it given to a sitting US President or something? I can't imagine ANY 'field grade' M1 Garand being worth $50 G's.

You should place arms in the locations you spend the most amount of time in, such as the kitchen/dining room (perhaps a long gun/shotgun next to the fridge), the office (if that's where you spend your time online), the living room if you spend a lot of time watching the TV, and of course, the bedroom, where you'll have to respond from if woken to have to deal with an intruder.

Each location presents it's own challenges and techniques to be considered. Carefully evaluate EACH scenario and go over them several times a year (a month if possible) to make sure you'll do what's required without thinking about it. After all, you need to consider your life to be on the line if invaded.

[HTRN]

Was it given to a sitting US President or something? I can't imagine ANY 'field grade' M1 Garand being worth $50 G's.

It could be a gas trap model, in which case it would be worth some serious money, although I doubt it's worth that much.


HTRN